Monday, September 29, 2008

If you ask me what kind of car I drive, my response will be, "a red one". I am just not into cars. I don't care for them. I am not passionate about them.

But I thought it would be interesting to take pictures of cool cars. So I went. The cars were great. But I wasn't very pleased with the results. It was very bright and there were tons of folks in my way. The cars were all shiny and glossy so tons of reflection or what looked like a flashlight. I'm sure I can use some images down the road but the quality was not that great. The pictures are just blah.

When I take some pictures and see the results, I say giddy with excitement, "I can't believe I took this photo. I am so awesome." Well I don't really tell you guys about it but I do tell myself.

But this weekend I came back and was utterly disappointed. Photography is much like writing. You have to put your emotions into it. You have to share your feelings. You have to have chemistry. If we all wrote daily blogs that said:

Today I ate tune.Today I ate chicken.Today I ate beef.

Well who really cares?

No one.

But if I describe the tuna I ate, share my thoughts and feelings about tuna, then people will be more interested in the blog. If I share a funny story about tuna, then even better.

So my point is, yes I do have a point, you have to have some passion about your photo subjects. I clearly could care less about the cars. I will have to work very very hard to get better at this. A photo of a flower? No problems.

The photo of the car you see is a very very rare car. I wish I could remember the name. But this photo cracked me up. Not because it is a great photo but look at it...

Sunday, September 28, 2008

In Todos Santos, Mexico, there is a hotel called Hotel California. It was extablished in 1929. Rumor has it that it is inspiration for the song "Welcome to Hotel California" by Eagles. No one can confirm if the Eagles ever visited the hotel. They only claim that the hotel is an inspiration for the song.

I've always been confused about the song lyrics. It's a great song but what is it about? It makes no sense.

Fortunately for me, Edwardo our tour guide told me the legend and clarified the lyrics for me. Once I knew the legend, everything made perfect sense. So here goes the legend according to Edwardo.

A long time back, a very close friend of the Eagles band was in Mexico. One night, being too fatigued from travelling and *ahem* partaking in herbal remedies he checked into the Hotel California to spend the night. He was greeted by a very soft spoken lady who took him to the bar area.

When he got to the bar, his eyes fell upon the most beautiful Senorita. He instantly fell in love. The were the only two people at the bar and he struck up a conversation with her. After talking to her and wooing her for hours, he asked her to join him in his room. She agreed and they spent the most passionate night together.

In the morning, he begged her to marry him and go with him forever. She refused to leave Todos. Heartbroken, the guy left town promising to come back.

He came back 2 years later and looked for her everywhere. He couldn't find her. He asked everyone about the love of his life. After a while he found out that the love of his life was dead. She had died 25 years ago. Twenty five years. So he had had an affair with a ghost.

Sometime later he told his story to his close friend (Eagles band) and together they wondered if he actually had an affair or it was a figment of his imagination. Was it the heavy drugs, herbal cigarretes etc. that caused this illusion?

The song is based on that story. Edwardo analyzed the song for me. My comments are in red.

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair

Warm smell of colitas -Related to Mariguanna

rising up through the air

Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light

My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim - from the smoke

I had to stop for the night

There she stood in the doorway;

I heard the mission bell

And I was thinking to myself,’this could be heaven or this could be hell’

Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way

There were voices down the corridor,I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the hotel california

Such a lovely place

Such a lovely face

Plenty of room at the hotel california

Any time of year, you can find it hereHer mind is tiffany-twisted, she got the mercedes bends

She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends

How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.

Some dance to remember, some dance to forget -dance is a symbol of drugsSo I called up the captain,’please bring me my wine’ -different kind of drugs

He said, ’we haven’t had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine’

Welcome to the hotel california

Such a lovely placeSuch a lovely faceThey livin’ it up at the hotel california

What a nice surprise, bring your alibis -coverup your bad habits

Mirrors on the ceiling,The pink champagne on ice - the night he spent with the senorita

And she said ’we are all just prisoners here, of our own device’

And in the master’s chambers,They gathered for the feast -feast of various drugs/ drugs party somewhere

The stab it with their steely knives, But they just can’t kill the beast - knives=needles

Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door

I had to find the passage back

To the place I was before’relax,’ said the night man,

We are programmed to receive.

You can checkout any time you like,But you can never leave! - you can quit drugs but once an addict, always an addict.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

1. At a given bar, you can only find either Corona beer or Dos Equis. You can't find both. One or the other. While Dos Equis is very popular here in Texas, Corona is more popular over there. Pacifico is also popular there.

2. Most bars serve wine from Chile. You have to pay top dollars for California wine. I am talking about 45-50 dollars for a small bottle of Kendell Jackson. Grey Goose Vodka is moderately priced though. You can buy it at a grocery store.

3. Bugs. Lots of them. Although they are not enough to be scary, they can be very annoying. Take some bug spray with you and keep it handy.

4. Most restaurants have no air condition and are open air. I am from Texas so I can tolerate some heat but sometimes it can be overwhelming. Also, the bugs like to share your food at times or just swim in it.

5. Water Taxis are abundant on Cabos beaches. It is just like hailing for a cab in Manhattan. You can flag one down from Medona beach to take a boat ride to the Arch. You can take glass bottom taxis also and actually see some exotic fishes in the crystal clear water.

6. Lover's beach is a really small strip of beach and is very crowded. If you think you are going to have a nice romantic time there, you are mistaken. I think it is called lover's beach because everyone is packed like sardines there. If you take a water taxi to see the Arch, you'll pass by it. Just ask the taxi driver to slow down so you can take some pictures.

7. Only some beaches are swimable. The undercurrent on most beaches is very strong. I have never ever heard such loud thundering waves crashing on the shores. Once I was taking a walk on the beach and a wave came out so strong that everyone literally ran for their lives. Follow the rules. Don't swim where you are not allowed to. On the positive side, you can easily find swimable beaches within a walking distance or short taxi ride. And no there are no jelly fishes there. None that I could see.

8. Regardless of the hotel you are staying in, you'll make new friends. You'll run into the same people over and over again. And if you are nice, you'll gain some friends. There is something about the air over there that makes people friendlier.

9. Coffee is very very mild. You ask ask for extra strong coffee but that doesn't change much. Solution? Drink Diet Coke immediately followed by champagne.

10. I was told that in Mexico, Men always have the last word. And it is always, "Whatever you say my dear."

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The trip was fantastic! I have many many pictures to post and stories to tell. Since I arrived late last night and had to work on Tuesday, I am still trying to play catch up and very very tired.

Thanks to all those who visited and posted comments! I am sorry I haven't responded yet but intend to do so as soon as possible. Your support means so much to me! Thank you! I've also missed reading my daily blogs. I am hoping to catch up on that by this weekend!

Also, I have so much to share about Cabos. I can literally blog about it for months! You tell me when you are sick of it. OK?

Here are some random facts about my trip.

Pictures takes: 2000+. Good thing I don't have to worry about paying for role development.

Scheduled publishing really works! Thanks Jodi! You rock!

Total number of sun dresses I took: 9. I could have used more.

Golden and silver cocktail dresses? Leave them at home next time. Waaaay to overdressed.

If I don't have access to internet for a week, the earth will still spin. The sun will still rise the next morning. And when I come back, I still may have a job.

If you are going to take a picture of your feet on the beach or by the pool, for God's sake apply some moisturizer.

All you can eat does not mean all you can eat. Feel free to stop when you are full.

Football season even exists in Mexico. You can't escape it. Embrace it. Go to the the spa while your husband is watching the games.

If you are hanging out at your hotel bar, it is completely ok to sing karaoke (Yeah Macerena) as long as no one you know is at the bar. And there is absolutely no possibility that you will ever run into them ever again. And no photos please!

Patsies don't work that well on the beach or in a hot environment. Next time, buy some body tape so the suckers don't keep falling off shocking the daylights out of people.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

It is expected to land somewhere near Galveston. On Friday night. I live in Austin and we are expecting rain on Saturday.

Houston airport is closed this weekend. So I had to move my trip out. Instead of leaving Saturday, we are leaving on Monday.

But that is not a very big deal to me. My heart simply goes out to all the people who are affected by this. Imagine having to evacuate. Not knowing what your home will look like when you return. Best wishes to all those in the path of Ike.

On my way back home yesterday afternoon, I almost had a car accident. The road I have to take to go to work is crazy. It is very very scenic but people drive like maniacs on the road. They speed, speed, speed, and tail gate. It doesn't matter if you are in the right lane. They will tail gate you.

Anyways. I was driving in the right lane under speed limit. Minding my own business and nope I was not on the phone. In the left lane, some big pick up trucks and SUVs were zipping by. One big red SUV in the left lane was flying by when it lost control.

I am not exactly sure what happened. I think she was on her cell phone, trying to change her lane and then realized there was someone in her blind spot.

So she veered right on towards me.

I slammed my breaks.

She over corrected herself and went to her left. She missed me. By now, I was on the shoulder of the road.

There is a huge wide green patch between the two way traffic. Sorry I can't articulate today. She was speeding very fast and I don't think applying her breaks. Her car went on the shoulder and then through the grassy patch between the two roads and made a u turn. Right into the oncoming traffic.

I was sitting in my car, on the shoulder, completely stopped. My heart was not beating.

She finally stopped.

And then her SUV rolled over.

I was shaking.

The next thing I knew, all cars pulled over and everyone was running toward the SUV to help the woman.

Everyone was calling 911.

I put on my hazard sign on and ran towards the SUV. By now, there were about 10 people surrounding the SUV. Which was in the middle of the road. Upside down.

But the lady did come out.

I waited for a long long time. But there was nothing I could do. The cops came and then the ambulance. By now the crowd had thickened. Everyone wanted to help. I could barely see anything.

But the lady did not come out.

I stood on the side of the road shaking and praying.

I don't know what happened. All I know is that she zipped passed me and was talking on her cell phone. She was distracted.

What phone conversation can be worth so much?

I don't know what happened to her. She could be dead. Or she could have killed so many people.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

3 cameras. One digital SLR, one digital automatic, and one regular Nikon camera. I am planning on creating a calender and perhaps a blurb book after this trip. Once my husband finds out, I may have to leave a camera or two at home.

Stick on bra. So I can wear halters etc. without worrying about the girls popping out.

6 books to read. I wish I had an Ibook. But I guess without internet connection, it won't help much. Although I could download ahead of time.

Monday, September 8, 2008

I have a hand me down blackberry from work. I don't know who owned it before me. But I think it is possessed.

On Friday, I had a doctor's appointment before work. When I got there, the doctor was running a little late so I knew I had to take some time off from work. The friend who went with me insisted I take the day off and get some additional routine tests done. Some were long overdue.

So I wanted to send an email out on my blackberry to let my work folks know about it.

I typed in:

I am taking PTO today. Won't be coming in.

Blackberry auto corrected it to:

I am taking POT today. Won't be coming in.

Mean, mean blackberry. For some reason, POT is stored in cache somewhere. So any time I type some key words, it auto fills it with stuff like:

Got Questions: Got Pot?

Getting paid today: Getting Pot today.

Any time a word starts with a G, POT is sure to follow.

Thankfully, I read the email before I sent it out to half the company.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

So in 7 days, I will be going on a once in a lifetime kind of a vacation. My husband and I are going to Los Cabos San Lucas to celebrate our anniversary.

After spending all these years together, I think we both deserve a medal. I know he deserves one for sure.

I am a crazy person when it comes to vacations. I make lists. And lists. And spreadsheets. Yes I know I am a nut case.

There is one for my clothes and the accessories. What will I wear each day (usually more than one outfit a day) and what accessories I will wear with each outfit.

There is one for the agenda. What we will do each day and where we will eat each meal. Once we get there, we can change our minds. But I like having the structure. And my husband loves the fact that I research everything. He tells me of his specific "musts" ahead of time. "Find out where we can watch the cowboys play on Sunday" "Find some good sports bars" Etc.

The third list is for my special projects and things to do. On top of the list is to take photos for a calendar. This year, I am going to shoot some photos, create a calender and give it to my family as a present. I'll also put it up for sale on Lulu and my blog but I am not really expecting much out of that. I also want to work on top ten things to do in Cabos and some restaurant reviews. So basically I will be taking a ton of photos. And having a great time.

While I am gone, I will use scheduled publishing to post a photo everyday. That may not work though. Since I won't have access to the internet, I won't be able to do anything about it.

Now I am off for some shopping. Need to get some cute bikinis and sun dresses.

Friday, September 5, 2008

I received this email recently from an avid fan. I decided to respond on the blog. Perhaps you can also provide some advice

_________________________________________________________

Hi!!!!

My name is Julie and I am 16 years old. I read your blog every single day and think that you are very very smart and cool. I need some advice about my problem. I have no one I can ask.

I want to get married to my boyfriend but my parents hate him. They think that just because he is 10 years older than me, he is a bad person. But he is really not. He is way cool. We are madly in love and want to spend the rest of our lives together. I want to have lots of kids and be a stay at home mommy. I don't see any point of finishing high school. My boyfriend loves this idea and wants to get married at Christmas. So exciting!

The problem is that my parents hate him and have forbidden me to see him. They want me to finish high school and then maybe even go to college. I don't want to hurt my parents but I love my boyfriend. How can I convince my parents that he is cool?

Can I call you SW instead of Scriber's Web? Scriber's Web is too hard to type.

An Avid Reader!

Julie

Dear Avid Reader,

First of all, it perplexes me that out all the blogs in the world, you would chose mine. There are so many good ones out there. The fact that you'd rather seek my advice rather than Dear Margo tells me that you have a problem. You are trusting the wrong people. Never ever ask a blogger for advice about real issues. They will simply turn the question into a humor column. You'll just be fodder! And asking a blogger who posts photos, silly stories, and has a blog entry that says "Today I ate éclair's" is simply stupid. Now that we have established that, let's move along.

For God's sake! You are only 16. It is a tad too early for ever afters. You may think you are a grown up but you are just a child.

Your parents seem too nice. If you were my daughter, I would be chasing your boyfriend with a BB Gun. Or something bigger.

Listen to your parents. Your boyfriend sounds like a creep. He has no business dating or proposing to a 16 year old girl. If he really loved you, he would wait for you. I bet your parents told you that already.

Don't quit school. Education is the best gift you can give yourself. You must be able to support yourself financially. You never know when you will have to.

Your parents are too nice. Forbidding you to see him is not good enough. I would lock you up in a room. And chase the boyfriend with a gun and maybe cattle prod.

Lastly, Do not call me SW. Call me Ms. Scribers... Ms. Scriber's Web.

__________________________________________________________

Ha! I totally made this whole thing up. The "avid reader" should have been your first clue!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

One of my husband's old friend is a divorce lawyer. For years, I never met him because he lives in another city. For years, I did not want to because he is a divorce lawyer. I mean what sane wife wants her husband to hang out with a d*i*v*o*r*c*e l*a*w*y*e*r?

I finally met him after years. He came over for dinner when he was in town. He is smooth and charming. And also very funny. I told him that I was skeptical about him being my husband's friend. He told me no problem. All his friend's wives disliked the fact that he is a divorce lawyer.

And then he took my hand, looked me in the eye and said, "Here is the deal. If God forbid something like that ever happens, I'll be on your side. And together, we will beat the pants off your husband."

Did I say that he was charming?

I made him promise that he would be on my side. And told him that we had a verbal agreement. He said absolutely.

Since then, we became friends.

My husband and his friends try to meet once an year in different locations. When my people ask, I always say, "My husband is in Chicago with my divorce lawyer."

That always shocks people.

Ha!

I never miss an opportunity to remind him that he has a verbal agreement with me.

So Mike, if you are reading this, not only do we have a verbal agreement, I hereby declare you as my divorce lawyer in my blogging world.

Monday, September 1, 2008

3. I don't need reminders of my deadlines from Wii. There must be a valid reason. I know I missed the deadline. Don't tell me.

4. Thanks for telling me. I would have never known that I did not lose 20+ pounds. You are awesome!

5. Not only did I not reach my goal, I had a bad strategy all along.

6. My dashing but personality-less trainer. I call him Gustav.

7. I am a couch potato. What would I do with my life without Wii giving me these vital tidbits about me?

8. The weight fluctuations in a given day are just crazy. I took the preceding screen shot at 8:00 AM. The following at approximately 10:00 AM.

Can my weight fluctuate by 5.8 lbs in an hour or so? Just by sitting and writing my blog?

9. Some days I am 74 and other days I am 24. Neither are close to my real age. The real age feature is very buggy. Everyone I know complains about it.

10. The hype. You can easily buy it in Europe and other countries. Here in USA, it is virtually impossible to get it. It seems like a marketing strategy. Create a demand by generating enough buzz and not enough supplies. I call it fluff.

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